What's Eric Eating Episode 119

The smokin' truth about Washington Avenue BBQ, plus first taste of a global restaurant

On this week's episode of "What's Eric Eating," Truth Barbeque pitmaster-owner Leonard Botello IV joins CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to discuss his Washington Avenue restaurant that opened in January. Already ranked 10th by Texas Monthly for his original location in Brenham, the Houston Truth has quickly emerged as one of the city's best barbecue joints.

The conversation touches on a number of topics, staring with the charity dinner that Truth will host Wednesday, November 13 on behalf of No Kid Hungry; in addition to Botello, the meal will feature courses prepared by chefs Nick Wong (UB Preserv), Bobby Matos (State of Grace, La Lucha), Rebecca Masson (Fluff Bake Bar), and Feges BBQ owners Erin Smith and Patrick Feges. Tickets are available for $175.

From there, the discussion moves to Truth's evolution since opening in Houston. Botello once smoked every piece of meat he served, but the larger spaces means the self-described "control freak" has had to train a full staff that can execute his vision. Building that team allows him both the opportunity to travel to food events across the country and to contemplate opening a new restaurant.

"I like the intimacy of smaller places. If you can't get in somewhere, that's where somebody wants to go eat, and it's more fun when you're closer together and the food is great. I always thought it'd be fun to have something like that," Botello says. "My brother finishes at the Culinary Institute in August. Hopefully, we'll be able to do something . . . I'm not going to say it will be barbecue."

Prior to the interview, Sandler and Felice Sloan of Swanky Maven discuss the news of the week. Their topics include: the sudden closure of Steel City Pops, Oporto owners Shiva and Rick Di Virgilio's plans to open a new restaurant and wine bar in The Heights; and the openings of Tejas Burger Joint and The Waffle Bus.

In the restaurant of the week segment, they share first impressions of Traveler's Table, the newly opened Montrose restaurant that serves dishes from around the world. While some early reviews have rejected the global approach, Sandler and Sloan found much to like about their meal.

---

Subscribe to "What's Eric Eating" on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or Spotify. Listen to it Saturday at 7 pm on ESPN 97.5.

Leonard Botello IV is this week's guest.

Photo by Robert Jacob Lerma

Leonard Botello IV is this week's guest.

podcasts fundraisers barbecue

peanut butter-pickle-bacon?

Growing restaurant chain brings over-the-top burgers to Houston

Courtesy of Killer Burger

Killer Burger will open on May 6.

Portland, Oregon-based Killer Burger is coming to Houston. The restaurant will open its first Bayou City outpost near downtown on Wednesday, May 6.

Founded in 2010 by Thomas “TJ” Southard, Killer Burger is best known for its over-the-top Peanut Butter Pickle Bacon Burger, which adds creamy, acidic, and salty elements to the classic bacon cheeseburger. Other burgers have catchy names like the Bender — a bacon cheeseburger with spicy barbecue sauce, crispy jalapenos, and grilled onions — or the Motley Qüe, which is similar to the Bender but uses tangy barbecue sauce and Monterrey Jack cheese. All burgers are made to order.

Behold the Motley Qüe burger. Killer Burger Houston

The restaurant also serves fried chicken sandwiches and chicken tenders, which are matched with seven sauce choices. The only sides are fries and onion rings. Desserts include three milkshakes (chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry) as well as a chocolate chunk cookie and the “chewy marshmallow bar,” a variation on a Rice Krispie treat made with brown butter.

Located at 1909 Taylor St., the restaurant will be Killer Burger’s third Texas store, joining two in San Antonio. The restaurant also plans to open two locations in Austin later this year.

“Texas has been an incredible growth market for us, and the response we’ve seen so far has given us a lot of confidence as we expand into new cities like Houston,” Killer Burger CEO Adam Sanders said in a statement. “We’re not trying to be just another burger spot — we’re here to bring something bold and different. Killer Burger has always been about big flavor, no shortcuts, and an experience that stands out, and we’re excited to introduce that to Houston.”

anderson